Into the Great Wide Yonder – politicalbetting.com

MisterBedfordshire said:

Foxy said:

MisterBedfordshire said:

eek said:

MisterBedfordshire said:

The thing that has put a strain on our councils finances in recent years is a tripling of children diagnosed with special needs which entitles them to free transport to school and accompanying vast taxi bill.

This interestingly started a few years after the ending of tax credits for more than two children unless one has a disability in which case they stay and there is a £3k disabled child allowance.

Any comment on that line makes you look like you want to put people in wheelchairs in workhouses, but a huge number of them have things like ADHD which are subjective diagnosis, not mobility affecting (and very lucrative tax credit/universal credit wise).

It is the sort of thing that the Tories have utterly failed to grasp.

Questions: Who is diagnosing them, how much are they paid. Why are taxi companies being enriched, what links to councillors do they have, why can't councils hire buses etc. etc.

Nope the killer bit is adult social care - special needs is very secondary to that

Not round our way. Its child social care.

Agree Adult social care is a problem in a good few places. - and what is at the root of that? The same private equity parasites who have made vets resemble US Healthcare.

However so long as those who pay most council tax will have to pay for their own social care, and to rub it in pay a couple or three hundred a week extra to subsidise council funded places as the councils get bulk discount, I can't see much support for extra council tax to sort it.

In Central Beds council 36% of the budget goes on adult social care and 25% on children's social care, of which a small proportion relates to transport.

https://www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/info/141/budget/1568/budget_2024-2025/2

Really?

Conversation on facebook (town group, 10,000 members) with independent councillor in Jan 2024.

Independent Councillor "A gentle reminder….
Tough decisions are having to be made at the moment due to the £19m short fall in the 2024/25 council budget."

Resident: "Where did the 19M go? Can we get some honesty for a change? It's easy to blame the previous administration, show us the losses"

Independent Councillor "
Here are some of the answers:
1. Exponentially rising costs for SEND children transport costs
2. Much higher than anticipated costs for children and adult social care
3. Savings not realised for promised council efficiencies

If you look at some of the pinned posts you will see more of the actual detail. It’s late now hence not having all the correct facts and figures to hand."

Here is one of the earlier posts:

Independent Councillor "WHY IS CHILDREN'S SERVICES SO HIGH AND OVER FORECAST?
We have a statutory duty to provide educational transport. The council has to provide it where the needs assessment (such as an EHCP) determines that the child requires it to access schooling.

Another earlier post by said Independent Councillor "It’s definitely a legacy left by the outgoing administration, i.e. the conservatives.

If we had seen more attention to children’s services, particularly the number of SEND places available in CBC, we wouldn’t need to spend as much on educational transport.

However, we must remember that the plight of CBC’s finances are replicated across the UK. Educational transport costs - a statutory duty - are causing huge financial strain on most unitary authorities."

This assertion is backed up here:

https://www.countycouncilsnetwork.org.uk/spiralling-send-transport-budgets-threaten-financial-sustainability-of-englands-largest-councils-report-reveals/

"Modelling within the report predicts that the costs of providing SEND school transport will almost triple over a decade – from £397m in 2018/19 to £1.125bn in 2027/28 – with the number of children eligible for free school transport increasing 122% over the same period, from 58,000 to 129,000.

This increase is driven by the introduction of SEND legislation in 2014 and a subsequent explosion in the number of children receiving Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) which set out the support they need, including transport to school. The number of students on these plans has doubled from 105,000 eight years ago to 230,000 in 2023."

And who was responsible for 2014 Send Legislation? Step Forrward Baron Wet of Chipping Norton. Current Foreign Sectretary.

HYUFD said:

kjh said:

Richard_Tyndall said:

ClippP said:

Are these not Tory MPs and the extent to which they are threatened by a Labour candidate?

There are several seats on that list where the clear challenge comes from the Lib Dem candidate, I think.

As an example... North Devon.

Yep. The list is just the survivors. I have not differentiated the threats.

Gosh. I agree with @ClippP . If that is a survivors list (of only 72) I am surprised by some it contains. Ones that immediately spring out are Surrey Heath, Tunbridge Wells, North Devon, Maidenhead, Eastleigh, and probably others I have no knowledge of.

All LD target seats, those are the types of largely bluewall seats Rishi probably saves for the Tories (as well as Chelsea and Fulham where Hands projected to cling on), had Boris and Truss still been Conservative leader they would likely have gone yellow.

Albeit a number of redwall and Leave seats Boris would have held will go Labour under Rishi

Richard_Tyndall said:

Chameleon said:

TheScreamingEagles said:

One thing that isn't discussed enough if the Tories become the official opposition with 72 MPs then democracy is going to struggle.

Good luck getting a shadow cabinet and shadow junior ministers out of that to hold the government to account.

Also they will struggle to fill the select committees, several of which the Tories should be chair of.

And they're struggling just on seat count - when you actually look at the list a large amount of them are far over the hill and should not not be involved in front line politics or just a bit too woo woo for this decade. Then throw in the vicious power struggle between the various sub groups that will break out.

Chameleon said:

TheScreamingEagles said:

One thing that isn't discussed enough if the Tories become the official opposition with 72 MPs then democracy is going to struggle.

Good luck getting a shadow cabinet and shadow junior ministers out of that to hold the government to account.

Also they will struggle to fill the select committees, several of which the Tories should be chair of.

And they're struggling just on seat count - when you actually look at the list a large amount of them are far over the hill and should not not be involved in front line politics or just a bit too woo woo for this decade. Then throw in the vicious power struggle between the various sub groups that will break out.

LOL. Sorry, I have visions of the Tories being reduced to one MP who then has a fight with themselves a la Fight Club over whch direction they should go.

TheScreamingEagles said:

Leon said:

Casino_Royale said:

Leon said:

I trust England are still taking the knee. If they don’t do that racism will return to the world

It's worse: they've convinced themselves it's racist not to take the knee.

Southgate, or a better manager, needs to tell
them to stop it.

Are you joking? I was joking. Are they STILL taking the fucking knee for that dead fentanyl addict and proven villain? Why don’t they do a special hoppity skip for Jack the fucking ripper?

Stop being a racist prick.

EPG said:

williamglenn said:

EPG said:

williamglenn said:

FF43 said:

williamglenn said:

FF43 said:

williamglenn said:

Foxy said:

williamglenn said:

TheScreamingEagles said:

Nigelb said:

Trump threatens to cut US aid to Ukraine quickly if reelected
https://www.politico.eu/article/donald-trump-ukraine-russia-war-threatens-cut-aid-election-2024/

I am impressed that you posted that before William Glenn did.

Yes, clearly Trump is serious about pushing for a swift Ukrainian victory. If he said the opposite it would create complacency among Ukraine's European allies and give Russia an opportunity.

Trump is pushing for a swift Ukranian victory? What brings you to that interpretation?

What is the effect of his words if not to push European countries to pull their finger out and reduce dependence on the US?

An alternative theory suggests Trump is a humongous turd who will do his best to see Ukraine defeated. This is to return the favour to his friend Vladimir for his help in subverting the American political system to Trump's personal benefit.

You mean a conspiracy theory?

A conspiracy theory that a deliberate policy to starve Ukraine of the means to avoid defeat could be a deliberate policy to ensure defeat?

Yeah. I might buy into that.

How do you reconcile Trump's opposition to Germany filling Russia's coffers and underspending on defence with the view that he is determined to help Russian expansionism?

Your view depends on seeing the US as the only real actor in this with European countries reduced to being merely pawns. In a strange way you see eye-to-eye with Putin.

How do you reconcile his promise to cut support to Ukraine as his support for Ukraine?

He isn't running to be dictactor of the West and isn't proposing to do anything to prevent Ukraine acting to defend itself.

(This is in contrast to the Biden White House which has imposed conditions on Ukraine and made it fight with one hand tied behind its back as well as limiting what US allies can do to help.)

I had expected at least some engagement with the substantive content that Trump wants to cut aid, but if it is just about being an edgy right-wing internet provocateur, that's boring.

Leon said:

On a lighter note have any PBers been to the Black Sea coast of Turkey?

The gazette have kindly told me I’ve got a rare Carte Blanche - I can go anywhere I’ve not been before - within Europe or very close - and write about it and have a nice freebie. Before my larger commitments kick in

Thing is I’ve been nearly everywhere in Europe

And I want sun yet I don’t want somewhere overrun with kids and tourists. Also not too pricey…

That leaves not much - here’s my list

Bulgaria esp the mountains and nearby Thrace
Inland northern Portugal
The Vosges (maybe too pricey and cold)
Abbruzzo
Black Sea coast of Turkey
Possibly Albania

Thoughts? Anyone been to these places?

EPG said:

MisterBedfordshire said:

TheScreamingEagles said:

Leon said:

Casino_Royale said:

Leon said:

I trust England are still taking the knee. If they don’t do that racism will return to the world

It's worse: they've convinced themselves it's racist not to take the knee.

Southgate, or a better manager, needs to tell
them to stop it.

Are you joking? I was joking. Are they STILL taking the fucking knee for that dead fentanyl addict and proven villain? Why don’t they do a special hoppity skip for Jack the fucking ripper?

Stop being a racist prick.

In two sentences, explains why the three main parties vote share is declining and why they just don't get why.

Ordinary British People don't like racism (which is why that pub in Lancashire banned white US servicemen during the war in response to the US Army demanding a colour bar).

Ordinary British people also do not like violent grifters and crooks who jump on bandwagons and exploit causes for their own ends and; similarly, do not like people making out they are morally superior by genuflecting to grifters and crooks.

One pub versus millions of votes for Farage & sending them back to Africa.

MisterBedfordshire said:

TheScreamingEagles said:

Leon said:

Casino_Royale said:

Leon said:

I trust England are still taking the knee. If they don’t do that racism will return to the world

It's worse: they've convinced themselves it's racist not to take the knee.

Southgate, or a better manager, needs to tell
them to stop it.

Are you joking? I was joking. Are they STILL taking the fucking knee for that dead fentanyl addict and proven villain? Why don’t they do a special hoppity skip for Jack the fucking ripper?

Stop being a racist prick.

In two sentences, explains why the three main parties vote share is declining and why they just don't get why.

Ordinary British People don't like racism (which is why that pub in Lancashire banned white US servicemen during the war in response to the US Army demanding a colour bar).

Ordinary British people also do not like violent grifters and crooks who jump on bandwagons and exploit causes for their own ends and; similarly, do not like people making out they are morally superior by genuflecting to grifters and crooks.

rcs1000 said:

Leon said:

pigeon said:

eek said:

MisterBedfordshire said:

The thing that has put a strain on our councils finances in recent years is a tripling of children diagnosed with special needs which entitles them to free transport to school and accompanying vast taxi bill.

This interestingly started a few years after the ending of tax credits for more than two children unless one has a disability in which case they stay and there is a £3k disabled child allowance.

Any comment on that line makes you look like you want to put people in wheelchairs in workhouses, but a huge number of them have things like ADHD which are subjective diagnosis, not mobility affecting (and very lucrative tax credit/universal credit wise).

It is the sort of thing that the Tories have utterly failed to grasp.

Questions: Who is diagnosing them, how much are they paid. Why are taxi companies being enriched, what links to councillors do they have, why can't councils hire buses etc. etc.

Nope the killer bit is adult social care - special needs is very secondary to that

Adult social care still eats up a larger proportion of council budgets than children's services, but demand for the latter has grown more rapidly in recent years:

County council leaders have called for an ‘honest discussion’ about service delivery as new research reveals local authorities spend two-thirds of their budgets on care services.
A new analysis by Pixel Financial Management (Pixel) for the County Councils Network (CCN) has revealed that councils are spending over £200 per person more on children’s services and adult social care compared to a decade ago.

The study found that per person spending on children’s services has risen 77% over the last 10 years and consumes almost a quarter (23%) of all council expenditure – up from 18% in 2014.

Spending on adult social care has risen by 48% per person over the same period.

CCN warned that spending on care was ‘squeezing’ the funding for other services such as libraries, road repairs, street lighting, and parks maintenance.

Cllr Roger Gough, CCN Spokesperson for Children’s Services said: ‘With more than two-thirds of the average county local authority’s budget now spent on just children’s services and adult social care, rising to three quarters in some areas, there is simply less and less each year for us to spend on highly valued services such as libraries, road repairs, and street lighting.

‘This month’s Budget confirmed that the public finances remain extremely tight. Therefore, we need to have an honest discussion with all main political parties as we head into the general election on what councils can reasonably be expected to deliver, in a climate where substantive extra funds are unlikely and both demand and costs are set to rise.’

https://www.localgov.co.uk/CCN-Two-thirds-of-council-budgets-spent-on-care/59063#:~:text=The study found that per,person over the same period.

Regardless, without either a large enough injection of cash or the removal of statutory responsibilities from councils, every authority in England that currently has to fund social care is eventually going to go bankrupt. All of them. Every county and every unitary. The tsunami of demand is something that can't be funded through efficiency savings or getting rid of diversity officers. Councils will end up ceasing to provide absolutely everything not strictly mandated by law and then, when there's nothing left to get rid of that they are allowed to get rid of, they'll fold anyway. It's simple maths.

And so much of this is because of immigration

Surely, by your own logic, importing people from countries with lower life expectancy to do the work in care homes helps solve the problem?

DecrepiterJohnL said:

FrancisUrquhart said:

Polish TV is using computer vision to enhance the viewer experience for sports broadcasts:

- FIFA-like radar overlays
- player recognition
- pass distance measurement
- ball speed and trajectory tracking during shots

https://x.com/skalskip92/status/1802361043727098355

Instead we get f##king Wayne Rooney taking bollocks.

We use commentators for player recognition. A few years ago, IBM created a system to pick out clips for highlights shows at Wimbledon based on crowd noise.

Monksfield said:

HYUFD said:

kjh said:

Richard_Tyndall said:

ClippP said:

Are these not Tory MPs and the extent to which they are threatened by a Labour candidate?

There are several seats on that list where the clear challenge comes from the Lib Dem candidate, I think.

As an example... North Devon.

Yep. The list is just the survivors. I have not differentiated the threats.

Gosh. I agree with @ClippP . If that is a survivors list (of only 72) I am surprised by some it contains. Ones that immediately spring out are Surrey Heath, Tunbridge Wells, North Devon, Maidenhead, Eastleigh, and probably others I have no knowledge of.

All LD target seats, those are the types of largely bluewall seats Rishi probably saves for the Tories (as well as Chelsea and Fulham where Hands projected to cling on), had Boris and Truss still been Conservative leader they would likely have gone yellow.

Albeit a number of redwall and Leave seats Boris would have held will go Labour under Rishi

I know you have this weird faith in Rishi’s appeal to Home Counties Tories, but the evidence from elections (local elections, granted) suggests these people are among the most riled by the current Government. I think the Tory vote will hold up best in the Midlands, and in particular the south and east Midlands.

FrancisUrquhart said:

Chameleon said:

FrancisUrquhart said:

Anabobazina said:

FrancisUrquhart said:

Anabobazina said:

TheScreamingEagles said:

Sigh.

A rampaging group of English hooligans have attacked a bar where Serbia supporters were drinking before the Serbia v England game at Euro 2024.

Report by @danielboffey on a predictably depressing turn of events in Gelsenkirchen.

https://x.com/SachinNakrani/status/1802351512271700406

Depressing. I wished they’d stuck to their line yesterday when they bumped into the French lads: “You’re shit, you’re shit, but your birds are fit.”

Make love not war, England.

There seems to be some uncertainty about this. There are reports that Albanians attacked the Serbs and the English were caught up in it as they were nearby.

"German police have dealt with an incident involving Albanian & Serbian fans near the centre of Gelsenkirchen. Most senior German police officer on the scene says at the moment they believe the incident did not involve England fans."

https://x.com/SkySportsNews/status/1802357897503940949

Interesting. Thanks. Our reputation proceeds is but hopefully that report is right. As I say, we were mixing reasonably well with France yesterday - and their fans take no prisoners (at least in club football). So fingers crossed 🤞

The Ch4 series on football cops was quite interesting on the state of violence in English game.

Ciff notes, the oldies are a load of softies these days or been banned from everything. The trouble they are having is young teenagers at lower league games, which is a bit worrying if they don't nip it in the bud for when they get to their late teens / early 20s.

I've noticed it a lot since lockdown at my league 1 team - drugs are also endemic at football as well, which is not helping things. The majority of 18-30s I know could get coke faster than a pizza if they were inclined. Twice in the past year I've had a business card with a bag handed to me just living my daily life (which were obviously discarded immediately). I really wonder when a Government will face the reality that prohibition has been a complete failure so they might as well tax it, make it safe, and stop funnelling money to criminal gangs.

There has been huge market efficiencies in coke market making it incredibly cheap. And yes the CH4 programme mentions this, its not punters getting pissed up, they are off their tits on coke.

Big_G_NorthWales said:

DougSeal said:

Casino_Royale said:

There you have it, everyone.

Various left-wingere cheering Council Tax rises.

That's what happens if Labour get in.

A vote for Labour is a vote for your Council Tax bill going up.

Are you fucking kidding???? Do you know how much my council tax has gone up under the Tories at a local and national level?!??!!! Have you any idea how shit the public services we get in Kent in return? Yes, council tax will go up under Labour, but it has gone up and will go up under the Tories too. At least Labour are not denying it.

And I’m not cheering more council tax. I’m saying it is a regrettable necessity given many years of utter Tory mismanagement and waste.

I think the issue is the extension of the number of bands which was the flaw in the original implementation and it is a fact that million pound homes just 500 yards from us are only paying one band higher

Wales Labour has hammered Council tax at 5% for years and more recently at plus
10.1% and 9.77% this year

TheScreamingEagles said:

MisterBedfordshire said:

TheScreamingEagles said:

Leon said:

Casino_Royale said:

Leon said:

I trust England are still taking the knee. If they don’t do that racism will return to the world

It's worse: they've convinced themselves it's racist not to take the knee.

Southgate, or a better manager, needs to tell
them to stop it.

Are you joking? I was joking. Are they STILL taking the fucking knee for that dead fentanyl addict and proven villain? Why don’t they do a special hoppity skip for Jack the fucking ripper?

Stop being a racist prick.

In two sentences, explains why the three main parties vote share is declining and why they just don't get why.

Ordinary British People don't like racism (which is why that pub in Lancashire banned white US servicemen during the war in response to the US Army demanding a colour bar).

Ordinary British people also do not like violent grifters and crooks who jump on bandwagons and exploit causes for their own ends and; similarly, do not like people making out they are morally superior by genuflecting to grifters and crooks.

I know posters of limited IQ like you and Leon don't get it, but the knee isn't just about George Floyd but ingrained racism in the UK.

It's about things like this

Police more than six times more likely to strip-search black children

Exclusive: New study also shows forces in England and Wales 10 times more likely to search black people

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/article/2024/jun/10/police-more-than-six-times-more-likely-to-strip-search-black-children

and this

https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/raheem-sterling-daily-mail_uk_5c0cf45de4b035a7bf5bf41c

TheScreamingEagles said:

MisterBedfordshire said:

TheScreamingEagles said:

Leon said:

Casino_Royale said:

Leon said:

I trust England are still taking the knee. If they don’t do that racism will return to the world

It's worse: they've convinced themselves it's racist not to take the knee.

Southgate, or a better manager, needs to tell
them to stop it.

Are you joking? I was joking. Are they STILL taking the fucking knee for that dead fentanyl addict and proven villain? Why don’t they do a special hoppity skip for Jack the fucking ripper?

Stop being a racist prick.

In two sentences, explains why the three main parties vote share is declining and why they just don't get why.

Ordinary British People don't like racism (which is why that pub in Lancashire banned white US servicemen during the war in response to the US Army demanding a colour bar).

Ordinary British people also do not like violent grifters and crooks who jump on bandwagons and exploit causes for their own ends and; similarly, do not like people making out they are morally superior by genuflecting to grifters and crooks.

I know posters of limited IQ like you and Leon don't get it, but the knee isn't just about George Floyd but ingrained racism in the UK.

It's about things like this

Police more than six times more likely to strip-search black children

Exclusive: New study also shows forces in England and Wales 10 times more likely to search black people

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/article/2024/jun/10/police-more-than-six-times-more-likely-to-strip-search-black-children

and this

https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/raheem-sterling-daily-mail_uk_5c0cf45de4b035a7bf5bf41c

Alphabet_Soup said:

Leon said:

On a lighter note have any PBers been to the Black Sea coast of Turkey?

The gazette have kindly told me I’ve got a rare Carte Blanche - I can go anywhere I’ve not been before - within Europe or very close - and write about it and have a nice freebie. Before my larger commitments kick in

Thing is I’ve been nearly everywhere in Europe

And I want sun yet I don’t want somewhere overrun with kids and tourists. Also not too pricey…

That leaves not much - here’s my list

Bulgaria esp the mountains and nearby Thrace
Inland northern Portugal
The Vosges (maybe too pricey and cold)
Abbruzzo
Black Sea coast of Turkey
Possibly Albania

Thoughts? Anyone been to these places?

Rose Macaulay visited the Black Sea coast of Turkey in the 1950s. Back in the day it was the only way to get the Inland Revenue to pay for a foreign jaunt.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/192954.The_Towers_of_Trebizond

TheScreamingEagles said:

MisterBedfordshire said:

TheScreamingEagles said:

Leon said:

Casino_Royale said:

Leon said:

I trust England are still taking the knee. If they don’t do that racism will return to the world

It's worse: they've convinced themselves it's racist not to take the knee.

Southgate, or a better manager, needs to tell
them to stop it.

Are you joking? I was joking. Are they STILL taking the fucking knee for that dead fentanyl addict and proven villain? Why don’t they do a special hoppity skip for Jack the fucking ripper?

Stop being a racist prick.

In two sentences, explains why the three main parties vote share is declining and why they just don't get why.

Ordinary British People don't like racism (which is why that pub in Lancashire banned white US servicemen during the war in response to the US Army demanding a colour bar).

Ordinary British people also do not like violent grifters and crooks who jump on bandwagons and exploit causes for their own ends and; similarly, do not like people making out they are morally superior by genuflecting to grifters and crooks.

I know posters of limited IQ like you and Leon don't get it, but the knee isn't just about George Floyd but ingrained racism in the UK.

It's about things like this

Police more than six times more likely to strip-search black children

Exclusive: New study also shows forces in England and Wales 10 times more likely to search black people

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/article/2024/jun/10/police-more-than-six-times-more-likely-to-strip-search-black-children

and this

https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/raheem-sterling-daily-mail_uk_5c0cf45de4b035a7bf5bf41c

TheScreamingEagles said:

MisterBedfordshire said:

TheScreamingEagles said:

Leon said:

Casino_Royale said:

Leon said:

I trust England are still taking the knee. If they don’t do that racism will return to the world

It's worse: they've convinced themselves it's racist not to take the knee.

Southgate, or a better manager, needs to tell
them to stop it.

Are you joking? I was joking. Are they STILL taking the fucking knee for that dead fentanyl addict and proven villain? Why don’t they do a special hoppity skip for Jack the fucking ripper?

Stop being a racist prick.

In two sentences, explains why the three main parties vote share is declining and why they just don't get why.

Ordinary British People don't like racism (which is why that pub in Lancashire banned white US servicemen during the war in response to the US Army demanding a colour bar).

Ordinary British people also do not like violent grifters and crooks who jump on bandwagons and exploit causes for their own ends and; similarly, do not like people making out they are morally superior by genuflecting to grifters and crooks.

I know posters of limited IQ like you and Leon don't get it, but the knee isn't just about George Floyd but ingrained racism in the UK.

It's about things like this

Police more than six times more likely to strip-search black children

Exclusive: New study also shows forces in England and Wales 10 times more likely to search black people

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/article/2024/jun/10/police-more-than-six-times-more-likely-to-strip-search-black-children

and this

https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/raheem-sterling-daily-mail_uk_5c0cf45de4b035a7bf5bf41c

MisterBedfordshire said:

TheScreamingEagles said:

MisterBedfordshire said:

TheScreamingEagles said:

Leon said:

Casino_Royale said:

Leon said:

I trust England are still taking the knee. If they don’t do that racism will return to the world

It's worse: they've convinced themselves it's racist not to take the knee.

Southgate, or a better manager, needs to tell
them to stop it.

Are you joking? I was joking. Are they STILL taking the fucking knee for that dead fentanyl addict and proven villain? Why don’t they do a special hoppity skip for Jack the fucking ripper?

Stop being a racist prick.

In two sentences, explains why the three main parties vote share is declining and why they just don't get why.

Ordinary British People don't like racism (which is why that pub in Lancashire banned white US servicemen during the war in response to the US Army demanding a colour bar).

Ordinary British people also do not like violent grifters and crooks who jump on bandwagons and exploit causes for their own ends and; similarly, do not like people making out they are morally superior by genuflecting to grifters and crooks.

I know posters of limited IQ like you and Leon don't get it, but the knee isn't just about George Floyd but ingrained racism in the UK.

It's about things like this

Police more than six times more likely to strip-search black children

Exclusive: New study also shows forces in England and Wales 10 times more likely to search black people

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/article/2024/jun/10/police-more-than-six-times-more-likely-to-strip-search-black-children

and this

https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/raheem-sterling-daily-mail_uk_5c0cf45de4b035a7bf5bf41c

Maybe you should speak to African immigrants parents bringing up children (boys in particular) trying to bring them up as respectable citizens and terrified of them being either victims of knife crime or lured into knife wielding gangs before going down that road. You might find they have surprisingly "right wing" views on things like stop and search.

They also have pretty right wing views on liberal decadence in the UK.

SandyRentool said:

So if your kid is a remedial they get a free taxi to school every day?

Such a system could never be exploited

Chris said:

MisterBedfordshire said:

TheScreamingEagles said:

MisterBedfordshire said:

TheScreamingEagles said:

Leon said:

Casino_Royale said:

Leon said:

I trust England are still taking the knee. If they don’t do that racism will return to the world

It's worse: they've convinced themselves it's racist not to take the knee.

Southgate, or a better manager, needs to tell
them to stop it.

Are you joking? I was joking. Are they STILL taking the fucking knee for that dead fentanyl addict and proven villain? Why don’t they do a special hoppity skip for Jack the fucking ripper?

Stop being a racist prick.

In two sentences, explains why the three main parties vote share is declining and why they just don't get why.

Ordinary British People don't like racism (which is why that pub in Lancashire banned white US servicemen during the war in response to the US Army demanding a colour bar).

Ordinary British people also do not like violent grifters and crooks who jump on bandwagons and exploit causes for their own ends and; similarly, do not like people making out they are morally superior by genuflecting to grifters and crooks.

I know posters of limited IQ like you and Leon don't get it, but the knee isn't just about George Floyd but ingrained racism in the UK.

It's about things like this

Police more than six times more likely to strip-search black children

Exclusive: New study also shows forces in England and Wales 10 times more likely to search black people

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/article/2024/jun/10/police-more-than-six-times-more-likely-to-strip-search-black-children

and this

https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/raheem-sterling-daily-mail_uk_5c0cf45de4b035a7bf5bf41c

Maybe you should speak to African immigrants parents bringing up children (boys in particular) trying to bring them up as respectable citizens and terrified of them being either victims of knife crime or lured into knife wielding gangs before going down that road. You might find they have surprisingly "right wing" views on things like stop and search.

They also have pretty right wing views on liberal decadence in the UK.

And do they hate people who "take the knee" as well?

StillWaters said:

Big_G_NorthWales said:

DougSeal said:

Casino_Royale said:

There you have it, everyone.

Various left-wingere cheering Council Tax rises.

That's what happens if Labour get in.

A vote for Labour is a vote for your Council Tax bill going up.

Are you fucking kidding???? Do you know how much my council tax has gone up under the Tories at a local and national level?!??!!! Have you any idea how shit the public services we get in Kent in return? Yes, council tax will go up under Labour, but it has gone up and will go up under the Tories too. At least Labour are not denying it.

And I’m not cheering more council tax. I’m saying it is a regrettable necessity given many years of utter Tory mismanagement and waste.

I think the issue is the extension of the number of bands which was the flaw in the original implementation and it is a fact that million pound homes just 500 yards from us are only paying one band higher

Wales Labour has hammered Council tax at 5% for years and more recently at plus
10.1% and 9.77% this year

Council tax should be payments for services not a matter of income redistribution. That should be a matter for national policy

Chris said:

MisterBedfordshire said:

TheScreamingEagles said:

MisterBedfordshire said:

TheScreamingEagles said:

Leon said:

Casino_Royale said:

Leon said:

I trust England are still taking the knee. If they don’t do that racism will return to the world

It's worse: they've convinced themselves it's racist not to take the knee.

Southgate, or a better manager, needs to tell
them to stop it.

Are you joking? I was joking. Are they STILL taking the fucking knee for that dead fentanyl addict and proven villain? Why don’t they do a special hoppity skip for Jack the fucking ripper?

Stop being a racist prick.

In two sentences, explains why the three main parties vote share is declining and why they just don't get why.

Ordinary British People don't like racism (which is why that pub in Lancashire banned white US servicemen during the war in response to the US Army demanding a colour bar).

Ordinary British people also do not like violent grifters and crooks who jump on bandwagons and exploit causes for their own ends and; similarly, do not like people making out they are morally superior by genuflecting to grifters and crooks.

I know posters of limited IQ like you and Leon don't get it, but the knee isn't just about George Floyd but ingrained racism in the UK.

It's about things like this

Police more than six times more likely to strip-search black children

Exclusive: New study also shows forces in England and Wales 10 times more likely to search black people

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/article/2024/jun/10/police-more-than-six-times-more-likely-to-strip-search-black-children

and this

https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/raheem-sterling-daily-mail_uk_5c0cf45de4b035a7bf5bf41c

Maybe you should speak to African immigrants parents bringing up children (boys in particular) trying to bring them up as respectable citizens and terrified of them being either victims of knife crime or lured into knife wielding gangs before going down that road. You might find they have surprisingly "right wing" views on things like stop and search.

They also have pretty right wing views on liberal decadence in the UK.

And do they hate people who "take the knee" as well?

Carnyx said:

Big_G_NorthWales said:

Carnyx said:

Tweedledee said:

Carnyx said:

Big_G_NorthWales said:

Carnyx said:

Big_G_NorthWales said:

Carnyx said:

Big_G_NorthWales said:

DecrepiterJohnL said:

Casino_Royale said:

Labour fails to rule out Council Tax rises:

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2024/06/16/general-election-latest-news-2024/

The introduction of more council tax bands would not be a total surprise and it might be our fault. PB has previously discussed the much higher property taxes in the land of the free, and the difficulty of taking expensive homes out of the country.

Council tax was flawed from it's introduction as it did not have enough and fairer higher ranges

I actually support extending the ranges and at present the Welsh Labour government are proceeding with just that and using drones to assess people's land and gardens

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cglp252kyj0o

Drones?! They don't need to do that with the Ordnance Survey mapping service and Google/Bing websites plus Land Registry!

I'd think it's only needed if there is some information laid about very recent developments.

It is widely reported they are using drones

Where? I can't find it.

It may be behind a pay wall

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2024/05/11/welsh-labour-to-hike-council-tax-by-spying-on-homeowners/

Can't read i t, but the bit I can see is MAYBE and IN THE FUTURE and SATELLITES which is probably a misunderstanding of Google "Satellite View" (which is taken from aircraft) but could just be the absolutely normal commercial databases which ANY firm can buy if they want, whether taken from aircraft or satellites.

Edit: have been able to read it on a second try. NO MENTION OF DRONES OR SUCH SPECIFIC INTRUSION. It's all about systematic checking of what is evidently standard general commercial air photography. No dsifferent from looking at the OS map whcih is made by the same means.

'The Telegraph can now reveal the data that is currently being gathered by the Valuation Office, where officials are building an “automated valuation model” to prepare up-to-date values for all of the 1.5 million homes in Wales.

As part of this model, they are using “aerial and street view photography” in order to verify the size of houses and gardens.'

https://support.google.com/earth/answer/6327779?hl=en&sjid=11467124086915838879-EU

Says it's a mix of satellite and plane and the odd drone and balloon

Doesn't even mention drones or balloons. And that isn't the Welsh Gmt doing the photography. I think someone's been winding Big G up.

Not at all - it is widely reported in Wales and the Welsh government have not denied it

However, the main point is Welsh Labour is about to revalue and implement new council tax bands from next April or the year after

You were claiming DRONES DRONES DRONES.

You have not provided a single report that mentions drones. You know, leering in at your bathroom window when you are having a shower.

So far as I can see, it's all going to be bog standard wide area aerial photography and derived mapping that anyone can buy, so far as I can see. The same stuff as, for instance, the electricity board uses to keep track of its properties as a basis for further examination when needed.

And this election isn't even about Wales as far as domestic administration is concerned.

MisterBedfordshire said:

SandyRentool said:

So if your kid is a remedial they get a free taxi to school every day?

Such a system could never be exploited

As well as a taxi

Universal Credit Disabled child element £1,873pa.

Which exempts you from the two child limit so if 3 or more kids in family

Extra Universal Child Element £3,455pa.

So badly behaved little Johnny getting an ADHD diagnosis is worth £5k a year tax free.

When the teacher calls you in about little johnnys bad behaviour they may well suggest getting help that leads to a diagnosis. The school getting £6k a year extra government funding for little Johnny if diagnosed of course dosen't enter into teachers head.

Nigelb said:

williamglenn said:

EPG said:

williamglenn said:

EPG said:

williamglenn said:

FF43 said:

williamglenn said:

FF43 said:

williamglenn said:

Foxy said:

williamglenn said:

TheScreamingEagles said:

Nigelb said:

Trump threatens to cut US aid to Ukraine quickly if reelected
https://www.politico.eu/article/donald-trump-ukraine-russia-war-threatens-cut-aid-election-2024/

I am impressed that you posted that before William Glenn did.

Yes, clearly Trump is serious about pushing for a swift Ukrainian victory. If he said the opposite it would create complacency among Ukraine's European allies and give Russia an opportunity.

Trump is pushing for a swift Ukranian victory? What brings you to that interpretation?

What is the effect of his words if not to push European countries to pull their finger out and reduce dependence on the US?

An alternative theory suggests Trump is a humongous turd who will do his best to see Ukraine defeated. This is to return the favour to his friend Vladimir for his help in subverting the American political system to Trump's personal benefit.

You mean a conspiracy theory?

A conspiracy theory that a deliberate policy to starve Ukraine of the means to avoid defeat could be a deliberate policy to ensure defeat?

Yeah. I might buy into that.

How do you reconcile Trump's opposition to Germany filling Russia's coffers and underspending on defence with the view that he is determined to help Russian expansionism?

Your view depends on seeing the US as the only real actor in this with European countries reduced to being merely pawns. In a strange way you see eye-to-eye with Putin.

How do you reconcile his promise to cut support to Ukraine as his support for Ukraine?

He isn't running to be dictactor of the West and isn't proposing to do anything to prevent Ukraine acting to defend itself.

(This is in contrast to the Biden White House which has imposed conditions on Ukraine and made it fight with one hand tied behind its back as well as limiting what US allies can do to help.)

I had expected at least some engagement with the substantive content that Trump wants to cut aid, but if it is just about being an edgy right-wing internet provocateur, that's boring.

What did I say that's untrue?

The case against Trump is mainly psychological: he doesn't seem to care about which state the Donbas is part of, therefore he's a bad man, therefore everything he does has malign intent.

It's a way of thinking that is detached from the material world. Biden has acted as a drag on the Western world's response all along, placing limits on what military aid is given and how it can be used and using NATO unity as an excuse for not doing more. He also failed to deter Putin in the first place after holding a summit meeting with him before the invasion.

All of this is excused because Biden is deemed to be on the right side. He doesn't want Putin to win, so it doesn't seem to matter what effect his actions have on the outcome.

Delusional.
Trump got the Congressional GOP to delay US aid for over six months - which cost thousands of Ukrainian lives. And you're an apologist.

Foxy said:

MisterBedfordshire said:

SandyRentool said:

So if your kid is a remedial they get a free taxi to school every day?

Such a system could never be exploited

As well as a taxi

Universal Credit Disabled child element £1,873pa.

Which exempts you from the two child limit so if 3 or more kids in family

Extra Universal Child Element £3,455pa.

So badly behaved little Johnny getting an ADHD diagnosis is worth £5k a year tax free.

When the teacher calls you in about little johnnys bad behaviour they may well suggest getting help that leads to a diagnosis. The school getting £6k a year extra government funding for little Johnny if diagnosed of course dosen't enter into teachers head.

I think you greatly exaggerate the ease of getting a "statement", it usually takes years and multiple appeals.

It might be much better to tackle the problem upstream and identify and intervene with these children much earlier.

DOI: I have a nephew with ADHD amongst other diagnoses. It's not an easy condition for a family to live with.

Farooq said:

Big_G_NorthWales said:

Carnyx said:

Big_G_NorthWales said:

Carnyx said:

Tweedledee said:

Carnyx said:

Big_G_NorthWales said:

Carnyx said:

Big_G_NorthWales said:

Carnyx said:

Big_G_NorthWales said:

DecrepiterJohnL said:

Casino_Royale said:

Labour fails to rule out Council Tax rises:

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2024/06/16/general-election-latest-news-2024/

The introduction of more council tax bands would not be a total surprise and it might be our fault. PB has previously discussed the much higher property taxes in the land of the free, and the difficulty of taking expensive homes out of the country.

Council tax was flawed from it's introduction as it did not have enough and fairer higher ranges

I actually support extending the ranges and at present the Welsh Labour government are proceeding with just that and using drones to assess people's land and gardens

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cglp252kyj0o

Drones?! They don't need to do that with the Ordnance Survey mapping service and Google/Bing websites plus Land Registry!

I'd think it's only needed if there is some information laid about very recent developments.

It is widely reported they are using drones

Where? I can't find it.

It may be behind a pay wall

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2024/05/11/welsh-labour-to-hike-council-tax-by-spying-on-homeowners/

Can't read i t, but the bit I can see is MAYBE and IN THE FUTURE and SATELLITES which is probably a misunderstanding of Google "Satellite View" (which is taken from aircraft) but could just be the absolutely normal commercial databases which ANY firm can buy if they want, whether taken from aircraft or satellites.

Edit: have been able to read it on a second try. NO MENTION OF DRONES OR SUCH SPECIFIC INTRUSION. It's all about systematic checking of what is evidently standard general commercial air photography. No dsifferent from looking at the OS map whcih is made by the same means.

'The Telegraph can now reveal the data that is currently being gathered by the Valuation Office, where officials are building an “automated valuation model” to prepare up-to-date values for all of the 1.5 million homes in Wales.

As part of this model, they are using “aerial and street view photography” in order to verify the size of houses and gardens.'

https://support.google.com/earth/answer/6327779?hl=en&sjid=11467124086915838879-EU

Says it's a mix of satellite and plane and the odd drone and balloon

Doesn't even mention drones or balloons. And that isn't the Welsh Gmt doing the photography. I think someone's been winding Big G up.

Not at all - it is widely reported in Wales and the Welsh government have not denied it

However, the main point is Welsh Labour is about to revalue and implement new council tax bands from next April or the year after

You were claiming DRONES DRONES DRONES.

You have not provided a single report that mentions drones. You know, leering in at your bathroom window when you are having a shower.

So far as I can see, it's all going to be bog standard wide area aerial photography and derived mapping that anyone can buy, so far as I can see. The same stuff as, for instance, the electricity board uses to keep track of its properties as a basis for further examination when needed.

And this election isn't even about Wales as far as domestic administration is concerned.

Another personal attack from someone not living here in Wales

What is wrong with you

It is widely reported across media in Wales but why demeaning comments about a shower in our bathroom when in fact I am unable to shower anyway due to my health issues

You can dismiss us in Wales we are used to it, but the issue is that this is coming to England under Labour and rightly so

That wasn't a personal attack. Someone telling you you are wrong or mistaken isn't a personal attack. It's kind of the backbone of political debate. Stop wallowing.

Leon said:

I’m gonna start taking the knee every time I have a wank, out of respect

It’s these daily and humble rituals which will eventually overcome racism, small as they seem at the time, and I encourage other PB-ers - equally concerned about racial division in our societies - to join me

Leon said:

I’m gonna start taking the knee every time I have a wank, out of respect

It’s these daily and humble rituals which will eventually overcome racism, small as they seem at the time, and I encourage other PB-ers - equally concerned about racial division in our societies - to join me

williamglenn said:

EPG said:

williamglenn said:

EPG said:

williamglenn said:

FF43 said:

williamglenn said:

FF43 said:

williamglenn said:

Foxy said:

williamglenn said:

TheScreamingEagles said:

Nigelb said:

Trump threatens to cut US aid to Ukraine quickly if reelected
https://www.politico.eu/article/donald-trump-ukraine-russia-war-threatens-cut-aid-election-2024/

I am impressed that you posted that before William Glenn did.

Yes, clearly Trump is serious about pushing for a swift Ukrainian victory. If he said the opposite it would create complacency among Ukraine's European allies and give Russia an opportunity.

Trump is pushing for a swift Ukranian victory? What brings you to that interpretation?

What is the effect of his words if not to push European countries to pull their finger out and reduce dependence on the US?

An alternative theory suggests Trump is a humongous turd who will do his best to see Ukraine defeated. This is to return the favour to his friend Vladimir for his help in subverting the American political system to Trump's personal benefit.

You mean a conspiracy theory?

A conspiracy theory that a deliberate policy to starve Ukraine of the means to avoid defeat could be a deliberate policy to ensure defeat?

Yeah. I might buy into that.

How do you reconcile Trump's opposition to Germany filling Russia's coffers and underspending on defence with the view that he is determined to help Russian expansionism?

Your view depends on seeing the US as the only real actor in this with European countries reduced to being merely pawns. In a strange way you see eye-to-eye with Putin.

How do you reconcile his promise to cut support to Ukraine as his support for Ukraine?

He isn't running to be dictactor of the West and isn't proposing to do anything to prevent Ukraine acting to defend itself.

(This is in contrast to the Biden White House which has imposed conditions on Ukraine and made it fight with one hand tied behind its back as well as limiting what US allies can do to help.)

I had expected at least some engagement with the substantive content that Trump wants to cut aid, but if it is just about being an edgy right-wing internet provocateur, that's boring.

What did I say that's untrue?

The case against Trump is mainly psychological: he doesn't seem to care about which state the Donbas is part of, therefore he's a bad man, therefore everything he does has malign intent.

It's a way of thinking that is detached from the material world. Biden has acted as a drag on the Western world's response all along, placing limits on what military aid is given and how it can be used and using NATO unity as an excuse for not doing more. He also failed to deter Putin in the first place after holding a summit meeting with him before the invasion.

All of this is excused because Biden is deemed to be on the right side. He doesn't want Putin to win, so it doesn't seem to matter what effect his actions have on the outcome.

TheScreamingEagles said:

Aside from the Euros and cricket, the one story dominating my non politics WhatsApp groups is Surrey police and that cow.

JohnLilburne said:

Alphabet_Soup said:

Leon said:

On a lighter note have any PBers been to the Black Sea coast of Turkey?

The gazette have kindly told me I’ve got a rare Carte Blanche - I can go anywhere I’ve not been before - within Europe or very close - and write about it and have a nice freebie. Before my larger commitments kick in

Thing is I’ve been nearly everywhere in Europe

And I want sun yet I don’t want somewhere overrun with kids and tourists. Also not too pricey…

That leaves not much - here’s my list

Bulgaria esp the mountains and nearby Thrace
Inland northern Portugal
The Vosges (maybe too pricey and cold)
Abbruzzo
Black Sea coast of Turkey
Possibly Albania

Thoughts? Anyone been to these places?

Rose Macaulay visited the Black Sea coast of Turkey in the 1950s. Back in the day it was the only way to get the Inland Revenue to pay for a foreign jaunt.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/192954.The_Towers_of_Trebizond

Albania, although I'm surprised you havent been there yet.

TheScreamingEagles said:

Aside from the Euros and cricket, the one story dominating my non politics WhatsApp groups is Surrey police and that cow.

rcs1000 said:

williamglenn said:

TheScreamingEagles said:

Nigelb said:

Trump threatens to cut US aid to Ukraine quickly if reelected
https://www.politico.eu/article/donald-trump-ukraine-russia-war-threatens-cut-aid-election-2024/

I am impressed that you posted that before William Glenn did.

Yes, clearly Trump is serious about pushing for a swift Ukrainian victory. If he said the opposite it would create complacency among Ukraine's European allies and give Russia an opportunity.

I wish that was true. And if Trump wins, and it happens, I will be incredibly grateful.

But is there any example you can think of where Trump has done anything other than fawn over Putin? And is there any indication that the Trump-wing of the Republican Party has been supportive of Ukraine. (Indeed, almost all of Trump's most vocal backers have been actually anti-Ukraine.)

carnforth said:

TheScreamingEagles said:

Aside from the Euros and cricket, the one story dominating my non politics WhatsApp groups is Surrey police and that cow.

Came up at lunch with the family. No mention of the election all day.

FrancisUrquhart said:

carnforth said:

TheScreamingEagles said:

Aside from the Euros and cricket, the one story dominating my non politics WhatsApp groups is Surrey police and that cow.

Came up at lunch with the family. No mention of the election all day.

GE campaign is over, done, finished. Even the media can't muster the energy for any real hit piece in the Sundays.

Foxy said:

JohnLilburne said:

StillWaters said:

Big_G_NorthWales said:

DougSeal said:

Casino_Royale said:

There you have it, everyone.

Various left-wingere cheering Council Tax rises.

That's what happens if Labour get in.

A vote for Labour is a vote for your Council Tax bill going up.

Are you fucking kidding???? Do you know how much my council tax has gone up under the Tories at a local and national level?!??!!! Have you any idea how shit the public services we get in Kent in return? Yes, council tax will go up under Labour, but it has gone up and will go up under the Tories too. At least Labour are not denying it.

And I’m not cheering more council tax. I’m saying it is a regrettable necessity given many years of utter Tory mismanagement and waste.

I think the issue is the extension of the number of bands which was the flaw in the original implementation and it is a fact that million pound homes just 500 yards from us are only paying one band higher

Wales Labour has hammered Council tax at 5% for years and more recently at plus
10.1% and 9.77% this year

Council tax should be payments for services not a matter of income redistribution. That should be a matter for national policy

In which case families with lots of children (and old people?) should pay extra

It's unusual to hear calls to for a return of the Poll Tax that brought down Mrs T.

Stuartinromford said:

TheScreamingEagles said:

Aside from the Euros and cricket, the one story dominating my non politics WhatsApp groups is Surrey police and that cow.

And the 2028 and 2032 Labour re-election campaigns will include the phrase "Remember last time the Tories were in power? We couldn't even clear cows from the streets..."

Tweedledee said:

Leon said:

Foxy said:

Alphabet_Soup said:

Leon said:

On a lighter note have any PBers been to the Black Sea coast of Turkey?

The gazette have kindly told me I’ve got a rare Carte Blanche - I can go anywhere I’ve not been before - within Europe or very close - and write about it and have a nice freebie. Before my larger commitments kick in

Thing is I’ve been nearly everywhere in Europe

And I want sun yet I don’t want somewhere overrun with kids and tourists. Also not too pricey…

That leaves not much - here’s my list

Bulgaria esp the mountains and nearby Thrace
Inland northern Portugal
The Vosges (maybe too pricey and cold)
Abbruzzo
Black Sea coast of Turkey
Possibly Albania

Thoughts? Anyone been to these places?

Rose Macaulay visited the Black Sea coast of Turkey in the 1950s. Back in the day it was the only way to get the Inland Revenue to pay for a foreign jaunt.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/192954.The_Towers_of_Trebizond

The expulsion of the 2 0000 year old Pontine Greek culture from the Easren Black Sea coast is one of the world's forgotten cultural genocides. I have a large number of friends in Thessalonika defended from the refugees. Surnames ending in "is" typically.

Have you been? It seems like one of the forgotten corners of “Europe” - ok Asia Minor - hardly anyone goes there

I suspect there is a lot of industry and some shit towns but still. Tempting. Trebizond has always tempted me just coz name

In my experience nobody goes anywhere in turkey more than 50 miles inland from the med.

De bernieres Birds without Wings is worth reading

TheScreamingEagles said:

Aside from the Euros and cricket, the one story dominating my non politics WhatsApp groups is Surrey police and that cow.

Luckyguy1983 said:

TheScreamingEagles said:

Sigh.

A rampaging group of English hooligans have attacked a bar where Serbia supporters were drinking before the Serbia v England game at Euro 2024.

Report by @danielboffey on a predictably depressing turn of events in Gelsenkirchen.

https://x.com/SachinNakrani/status/1802351512271700406

Hopefully they got the shit kicked out of them.

Big_G_NorthWales said:

Carnyx said:

Big_G_NorthWales said:

Carnyx said:

Tweedledee said:

Carnyx said:

Big_G_NorthWales said:

Carnyx said:

Big_G_NorthWales said:

Carnyx said:

Big_G_NorthWales said:

DecrepiterJohnL said:

Casino_Royale said:

Labour fails to rule out Council Tax rises:

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2024/06/16/general-election-latest-news-2024/

The introduction of more council tax bands would not be a total surprise and it might be our fault. PB has previously discussed the much higher property taxes in the land of the free, and the difficulty of taking expensive homes out of the country.

Council tax was flawed from it's introduction as it did not have enough and fairer higher ranges

I actually support extending the ranges and at present the Welsh Labour government are proceeding with just that and using drones to assess people's land and gardens

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cglp252kyj0o

Drones?! They don't need to do that with the Ordnance Survey mapping service and Google/Bing websites plus Land Registry!

I'd think it's only needed if there is some information laid about very recent developments.

It is widely reported they are using drones

Where? I can't find it.

It may be behind a pay wall

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2024/05/11/welsh-labour-to-hike-council-tax-by-spying-on-homeowners/

Can't read i t, but the bit I can see is MAYBE and IN THE FUTURE and SATELLITES which is probably a misunderstanding of Google "Satellite View" (which is taken from aircraft) but could just be the absolutely normal commercial databases which ANY firm can buy if they want, whether taken from aircraft or satellites.

Edit: have been able to read it on a second try. NO MENTION OF DRONES OR SUCH SPECIFIC INTRUSION. It's all about systematic checking of what is evidently standard general commercial air photography. No dsifferent from looking at the OS map whcih is made by the same means.

'The Telegraph can now reveal the data that is currently being gathered by the Valuation Office, where officials are building an “automated valuation model” to prepare up-to-date values for all of the 1.5 million homes in Wales.

As part of this model, they are using “aerial and street view photography” in order to verify the size of houses and gardens.'

https://support.google.com/earth/answer/6327779?hl=en&sjid=11467124086915838879-EU

Says it's a mix of satellite and plane and the odd drone and balloon

Doesn't even mention drones or balloons. And that isn't the Welsh Gmt doing the photography. I think someone's been winding Big G up.

Not at all - it is widely reported in Wales and the Welsh government have not denied it

However, the main point is Welsh Labour is about to revalue and implement new council tax bands from next April or the year after

You were claiming DRONES DRONES DRONES.

You have not provided a single report that mentions drones. You know, leering in at your bathroom window when you are having a shower.

So far as I can see, it's all going to be bog standard wide area aerial photography and derived mapping that anyone can buy, so far as I can see. The same stuff as, for instance, the electricity board uses to keep track of its properties as a basis for further examination when needed.

And this election isn't even about Wales as far as domestic administration is concerned.

Another personal attack from someone not living here in Wales

What is wrong with you

It is widely reported across media in Wales but why demeaning comments about a shower in our bathroom when in fact I am unable to shower anyway due to my health issues

You can dismiss us in Wales we are used to it, but the issue is that this is coming to England under Labour and rightly so

Tweedledee said:

Leon said:

Foxy said:

Alphabet_Soup said:

Leon said:

On a lighter note have any PBers been to the Black Sea coast of Turkey?

The gazette have kindly told me I’ve got a rare Carte Blanche - I can go anywhere I’ve not been before - within Europe or very close - and write about it and have a nice freebie. Before my larger commitments kick in

Thing is I’ve been nearly everywhere in Europe

And I want sun yet I don’t want somewhere overrun with kids and tourists. Also not too pricey…

That leaves not much - here’s my list

Bulgaria esp the mountains and nearby Thrace
Inland northern Portugal
The Vosges (maybe too pricey and cold)
Abbruzzo
Black Sea coast of Turkey
Possibly Albania

Thoughts? Anyone been to these places?

Rose Macaulay visited the Black Sea coast of Turkey in the 1950s. Back in the day it was the only way to get the Inland Revenue to pay for a foreign jaunt.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/192954.The_Towers_of_Trebizond

The expulsion of the 2 0000 year old Pontine Greek culture from the Easren Black Sea coast is one of the world's forgotten cultural genocides. I have a large number of friends in Thessalonika defended from the refugees. Surnames ending in "is" typically.

Have you been? It seems like one of the forgotten corners of “Europe” - ok Asia Minor - hardly anyone goes there

I suspect there is a lot of industry and some shit towns but still. Tempting. Trebizond has always tempted me just coz name

In my experience nobody goes anywhere in turkey more than 50 miles inland from the med.


De bernieres Birds without Wings is worth reading

JosiasJessop said:

williamglenn said:

EPG said:

williamglenn said:

EPG said:

williamglenn said:

FF43 said:

williamglenn said:

FF43 said:

williamglenn said:

Foxy said:

williamglenn said:

TheScreamingEagles said:

Nigelb said:

Trump threatens to cut US aid to Ukraine quickly if reelected
https://www.politico.eu/article/donald-trump-ukraine-russia-war-threatens-cut-aid-election-2024/

I am impressed that you posted that before William Glenn did.

Yes, clearly Trump is serious about pushing for a swift Ukrainian victory. If he said the opposite it would create complacency among Ukraine's European allies and give Russia an opportunity.

Trump is pushing for a swift Ukranian victory? What brings you to that interpretation?

What is the effect of his words if not to push European countries to pull their finger out and reduce dependence on the US?

An alternative theory suggests Trump is a humongous turd who will do his best to see Ukraine defeated. This is to return the favour to his friend Vladimir for his help in subverting the American political system to Trump's personal benefit.

You mean a conspiracy theory?

A conspiracy theory that a deliberate policy to starve Ukraine of the means to avoid defeat could be a deliberate policy to ensure defeat?

Yeah. I might buy into that.

How do you reconcile Trump's opposition to Germany filling Russia's coffers and underspending on defence with the view that he is determined to help Russian expansionism?

Your view depends on seeing the US as the only real actor in this with European countries reduced to being merely pawns. In a strange way you see eye-to-eye with Putin.

How do you reconcile his promise to cut support to Ukraine as his support for Ukraine?

He isn't running to be dictactor of the West and isn't proposing to do anything to prevent Ukraine acting to defend itself.

(This is in contrast to the Biden White House which has imposed conditions on Ukraine and made it fight with one hand tied behind its back as well as limiting what US allies can do to help.)

I had expected at least some engagement with the substantive content that Trump wants to cut aid, but if it is just about being an edgy right-wing internet provocateur, that's boring.

What did I say that's untrue?

The case against Trump is mainly psychological: he doesn't seem to care about which state the Donbas is part of, therefore he's a bad man, therefore everything he does has malign intent.

It's a way of thinking that is detached from the material world. Biden has acted as a drag on the Western world's response all along, placing limits on what military aid is given and how it can be used and using NATO unity as an excuse for not doing more. He also failed to deter Putin in the first place after holding a summit meeting with him before the invasion.

All of this is excused because Biden is deemed to be on the right side. He doesn't want Putin to win, so it doesn't seem to matter what effect his actions have on the outcome.

"...he doesn't seem to care about which state the Donbas is part of,"

There is much to be said about your post, little of which reflects well on you. But I thought I would concentrate on this.

If you look at what Putin has said he wants - including the maximalist surrender-of-Ukraine speech he made the other day, he does not just want the Donbass. He wants much more. Add in the way he is interfering in countries throughout Europe, including the Moldovan elections, and it is obvious you, as much as Trump, have malign intent.

TheScreamingEagles said:

carnforth said:

TheScreamingEagles said:

Aside from the Euros and cricket, the one story dominating my non politics WhatsApp groups is Surrey police and that cow.

Came up at lunch with the family. No mention of the election all day.

Even Jeremy Clarkson has weighed in.

I will vote for any party which stops the police from running over cows.

https://x.com/JeremyClarkson/status/1802289165989486980